Thinking of Jan

By: Janet Mary Sinke

3/21/2008 11:18:41 AM

It was May 2005. There I was straight off the farm sitting in the ballroom of the Marriott Marquis on Broadway in New York City. My first book, "I Wanna Go to Grandma's House" had been nominated for a Benjamin Franklin Award. I remember my Parkinson's Disease becoming quite noticeable that night as I nervously waited for the winner in my category to be announced. I couldn't control the tremors. It didn't seem to matter,at least not to one named Jan Nathan. She stood there reading a letter I had written to her months ago describing the challenges of my disease. She shared openly my dream to publish a children's book, the ups, the downs, the joys and sorrows that we all encounter when trying to make our own dreams a reality. I remember when she called my name and my slow shuffling gait as I made my way to the podium. I remember her smile, her tears of joy, her embracing arms and her whispered words, "I am so proud of you." Someone once said, "You're not dead until you're forgotten. You will never be forgotten, Jan. Your passion, your faith, your courage to stand up for the "small guy" will continue to impact the publishing world for years and decades to come. I see your face still, I hear your words still. I thank the Creator for the gift of your life.

By: Al Baumann

3/18/2008 12:27:43 PM

Jan became a friend and gateway into the direct marketing community through the Direct Marketing Association. I spent seveal years on the Board of Directors and was fortunate to see her monthly. Jan's great sence of humor and true enjoyment of facilitating the success of others attracted people to the vertical market clubs she represented. I've been retired for 5 years but am going to go back to work because I miss the excitement. One of my first contacts was going to be Jan. I will miss her but am grateful for the opportunity to meet her and learn from her. My sincere best wishes to the Nathan family. Al Baumann ,

By: Linda B. Galloway

2/22/2008 9:43:21 PM

I met Jan at my first PMA conference in 2005. It was a last minute decision to attend and I did not know what to expect. As I hesistantly approached the registration desk, she asked "May I help you?" I immediately felt her sincerity and laid my anxiety to rest. The following year, Jan shared a humorous story about a New York trip in which she heard a board member's voice in her hotel room. She was startled, then realized his voice was coming from the TV where he was being interviewed. My book has recently been selected for distributorship through the IPG/PMA program. Had it not been for Jan and this wonderful organization, many authors' dreams might remain deferred. Thank you Jan, for having a vision. Your spirit lives on, through PMA.

By: Dotti Albertine, Book Designer

2/4/2008 3:23:12 PM

When I had questions or needed some bit of information, Jan was immediately there to help. I have always appreciated the "family" down-to-earth service provided by the Nathan family.

By: Aron Trauring

12/6/2007 5:43:58 PM

I just now learned of Jan's passing. The last time I saw her was in New York about 7-8 years ago. She was here on business and we met at Carnegie Deli to discuss some PMA business. My strongest memory of her then and always, was her quick wit and her infectious laugh. She was one of the smartest, savviest, hard working and helpful people I have ever met. Many people pass through this world and don't leave much behind. Jan's legacy is immense and she leaves behind so many accomplishments. I am truly sad to know she isn't here anymore.

By: Leah Abrahams

11/23/2007 2:50:25 PM

When I was first involved in publishing, Jan was so very helpful. She was always willing to answer my questions, to make suggestions. When our book, "A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance" won one of the Benjamin Franklin awards, Jan's enthusiasm and support made it even more meaningful! Her death is a great loss to the community of independent and small publishers. But we have all benefited from her vision.

By: Robert Shlasko

11/2/2007 3:21:36 PM

I'm always brought up short when I realize how few times I actually spoke to Jan face-to-face or on the phone -- yet what a major impact she's had on my work as a writer/publisher. Simply put, Jan was warm, wise and very, very encouraging. Brief as our meetings -- starting just after a New York publishers seminar where she served as a panelist -- I remember each of them clearly. And each brings a smile to my face. I will miss her and certainly not forget her. Thank you, Jan.

By: Dominique Raccah, SourceBooks

10/29/2007 2:52:39 PM

In my earliest memory of Jan, she is leading a PMA U. panel for new publishers and looking at my first book, designed by my best friend and written by me. Jan tried so hard to tell me how bad the book was without discouraging me. That's one of the first lessons I learned from her-the unerring optimism; the belief in the value of independent voices; the ability to see just below the surface to the real value. Her orientation was humbling and tremendously empowering. And especially in those early years, she taught me that railing against the system was just a waste of breath and that we needed to direct our efforts to learning how to be better, how to be great publishers. Three years later, I went to the Frankfurt Book Fair for the first time. I had a half of a booth in the PMA aisle. I didn't know that you needed appointments in advance and couldn't just show up. Once again Jan was practically helpful and encouraging. She brought over her appointments. She introduced me to agents. She made sure that I knew the protocol. By the end of that first Frankfurt I was able to confidently start building our foreign rights business. Jan was enormously special in so many ways and for so many reasons-for encouraging us, for gently but firmly guiding and correcting us, for helping us to deal with the realities and complexities of book publishing without giving up.

By: Dorothy Towvim Elchoness & Monte Elchoness

10/9/2007 6:09:56 PM

Even though we haven't been active in PMA in a number of years, we have fond memories of Jan from the mid 1980's and the days of PASCAL. From the wonderful local meetings and our first ABA convention in New Orleans, we had the pleasure of Jan's guidance, warmth and friendship. She will always be dear to us.

By: Dan T. Davis

10/2/2007 7:12:12 PM

Benjamin Franklin Awards 2005. We were finalists for "The Blacksmith's Gift" in the Juvenile/Young Adult fiction category. We were so excited. We talked to Jan over the phone - wondering if we should really pay the money to come to New York. Her response - "you may not win, but won't you regret not coming if you do win?" We came - and we won. And the biggest thrill was a hug from Jan Nathan to all three of us (publisher/author/illustrator) with the whispered words, "I'm glad you came."

By: Benjamin Terry Williams

9/9/2007 9:50:45 AM

I corresponded often via email with Jan but only met her one time at the 2006 National Book Event in Washington, DC. Naturally, I was curious to meet her after our correspondance and she did not disappoint. Her curiosity, enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and caring, and realism, were her trademarks. She was a very nice lady. She serves as an inspiration to me going forward. At the 2006 event I marketed Quotations To Live By and did not have great success. I hear Jan's spirit telling me that's OK... you did what you did... don't give up the vision... do it better next time...:) These remarks come from my imagination, not Jan. But these remarks are inspired by her interest in and facilitation of small publishers.

By: Mary Barrett

9/4/2007 1:49:59 PM

I have never met Jan personally, but she really did a terrific job in setting up PMA. Terry is doing an outstanding job of carrying on for her. I know that we will all miss her. Thank you Terry.

By: Andrew Chapman - President, Publishers & Writers of San Diego

8/28/2007 10:22:49 PM

What I remember most about Jan was that she connected with you so quickly. Although I only saw her face-to-face on a few occasions, mostly during busy PMA-U times, it was always as if I was seeing an old friend. That's how she made you feel. Hard as it is to accept that she's gone from our world, I choose to focus on how much she blessed us while she was here. From all of us at PWSD, our thoughts are with the Nathans and everyone at PMA during this year of transition.

By: MaryAnn Kohl

8/28/2007 1:58:17 PM

Jan continues to be on my mind, in my heart. I couldn't attend the memorial in September as I had wished, but my prayers continue for Jan's family and Jan's spirit. MaryAnn Kohl

By: Emily Rankin

8/24/2007 9:54:23 PM

I am Jan's sister-in-law. While our relationship was only a few years old and separated by 3000 miles we enjoyed each others company. When we were together our greatest sport was double teaming my brother just to annoy him. My husband and I looked forward to travelling more with Jan and Steve when she fully retired. We always had a good time wherever we went. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Jon and I miss her.

By: Michael Wiese

8/24/2007 1:17:40 PM

I don't remember when I met Jan. Seemed like she was always there with her wit and her constant stream of energy on the behalf of independent publishers everywhere. I served two terms on the PMA board and saw Jan in action. At every book show she was always on the top of my list. She was terrific human being. We were all very fortunate to have known her.

By: MARILYN McGUIRE

8/23/2007 3:07:20 PM

Jan was my friend and the best mentor I ever had. She was a model for caring and consideration. I will miss her cheerefulness and enormous spirit. MM

By: Gary Young, president, Publishers Association of Los Angeles, IBPA Affiliate

8/22/2007 3:37:05 PM

Many beautiful tributes have celebrated Jan Nathan’s dedication, her energy, her spirit, her support, and what she has done for the publishing world. We at the Publishers Association of Los Angeles, one of the IBPA affiliates, wish to add our personal, heartfelt condolences to her family, her good friends, and the very many people that Jan touched. We celebrate her life and her legacy. She was a force of nature, and she still is. We will miss her and we will continue to benefit from her work. Gary Young, president; Sharon Goldinger, vice-president; Sussane Reyto, treasurer; James Balcom, secretary, and members.

By: Ken Lee, VP Michael Wiese Productions

8/20/2007 11:12:57 PM

Years before the Tipping Point, Jan exemplified what it meant to be a connector, a maven, and the ultimate sales person. I really appreciated how Jan always made herself available to answer questions, introduce new contacts to us, and to share a good laugh. My fondest memories of Jan was watching her brilliantly handle dozens of meetings at the Frankfurt Book Fair and making it look so easy.

By: Lorilyn Bailey

8/20/2007 11:31:27 AM

Jan inspired us all with her boundless energy and enthusiasm for the publishing business and for helping independent publishers everywhere. Her work as the driving force of PMA definitely helped me succeed as a publisher of two books (which eventually resulted in my career as a publicist). She will be missed.

By: Bo Lebo

8/17/2007 4:29:03 PM

Jan was my buddy, hero and light. She alway had a kind word and a direction. She never failed to find a way to create a open road for a dream, a hope or a heart. Without Jan, I would have never attempted to serve the years of K-12 LAUSD kids or know how great it was to have colleagues. Because of her laughter,excellence, and leadership, my life has been forever changed and challenged. Except for my own mother, there is no woman who impacted me as much. I published, perished and recreated myself along with the best of them. I risked being heard and standing up so that others could. APA joined PMA and left. Always she stayed true to her purpose and offered more and more value every year. I love her, her family and our greater publishing cadre. I am unable to contain how crucial it was for me to cross her path, how many people have been impacted or find the right words to express my gratitude. As an American, a West Coast publisher, a free lancer, a speaker, now a teacher, how precious the time spent at Frankfurt, how clearly meaningful and truely "terrific" (french sense). She supported me to learn, make gaffs, pick myself up, take risks and always help others. We all have been supremely blessed. Bo Lebo The photo features "the Cities that Read Hat". Background: NARM Chief, Jim Donio giving Wind in the Willows Mindspan Project educator, Bo Lebo, an acknowledgement for working with the 'Cities that Read project' in San Diego. Proclamation from San Diego's Mayor.....Reading is a priority.....and the guts to represent the 114 California Cities at several BEA's or here....modelled from Jan Nathan. Verizon, California Literacy, and 1/4 of California's Cities began to talk about reading and its role in our future. Jan helped us learn how to promote and how to keep a project alive and connected to the community ..whether contact, book store, or city. What a legacy.

By: DIANE PFEIFER

8/16/2007 6:10:54 PM

Jan asked me to be on the PMA board many years ago. I told her no, that I was just a one-person company but she convinced me there were many more like me in PMA and I would be their voice. We had so many fun and educational meetings in CA. I looked forward to every one of them. Jan was part sister/mother/mentor to me and always loved getting our family holiday cards. We will miss her but she is really here with all of us who thrive in her beloved publishing business.

By: Joan Peterson

8/15/2007 3:04:36 PM

Jan Nathan was one of a handful of very important mentors when I started out in the publishing business. She always had time for answers and encouragement. She had a knack for remembering the names of the many publishers she mentored, no mean feat given the numbers of us in PMA. Fortunately for all of us, PMA will continue to grow and be nurtured by her son, Terry Nathan, and the PMA Board. Joan Peterson Ginkgo Press and the Travel Publishers Assn

By: Herb Haslam, Windspur Press

8/14/2007 1:46:21 PM

I have just learned with great sorrow of Jan’s passing.Please accept my deepest sympathy. She had a wonderful way of making one feel special no matter how trifling the issue brought to her attention. Though gone from our midst, she lives on in the hearts and minds of countless individuals whose lives she touched and made special.

By: Sue Knopf

8/14/2007 10:01:50 AM

Jan made PMA a very welcoming and open organization. Though she led a very busy life, and though PMA grew each year, she made sure that it didn't become impersonal—she always had time to listen and offer advice to anyone who needed help.